Mark Valencia 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
@markvalencia.bsky.social
Critic for Opera, Bachtrack and Musical America. 7 decades a Southender. Francophile, grandfather, passionately pro-EU. Previously with the blue bird until it got sick. Much happier here.
Reposted by Mark Valencia 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
Several months ago I bought my ticket for tonight's Ravel marathon. Twice I almost caught Bertrand Chamayou playing it in France earlier this year, but never quite managed the dates.
No such frustration tonight, I hope. I'll be at the @wigmore-hall.org.uk to hear the great man.
No such frustration tonight, I hope. I'll be at the @wigmore-hall.org.uk to hear the great man.
December 7, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Several months ago I bought my ticket for tonight's Ravel marathon. Twice I almost caught Bertrand Chamayou playing it in France earlier this year, but never quite managed the dates.
No such frustration tonight, I hope. I'll be at the @wigmore-hall.org.uk to hear the great man.
No such frustration tonight, I hope. I'll be at the @wigmore-hall.org.uk to hear the great man.
Several months ago I bought my ticket for tonight's Ravel marathon. Twice I almost caught Bertrand Chamayou playing it in France earlier this year, but never quite managed the dates.
No such frustration tonight, I hope. I'll be at the @wigmore-hall.org.uk to hear the great man.
No such frustration tonight, I hope. I'll be at the @wigmore-hall.org.uk to hear the great man.
December 7, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Several months ago I bought my ticket for tonight's Ravel marathon. Twice I almost caught Bertrand Chamayou playing it in France earlier this year, but never quite managed the dates.
No such frustration tonight, I hope. I'll be at the @wigmore-hall.org.uk to hear the great man.
No such frustration tonight, I hope. I'll be at the @wigmore-hall.org.uk to hear the great man.
Wordle 1,632 2/6
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Second 2/6 of the weekend. A bit weird.
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Second 2/6 of the weekend. A bit weird.
December 7, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Wordle 1,632 2/6
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Second 2/6 of the weekend. A bit weird.
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Second 2/6 of the weekend. A bit weird.
Wordle 1,631 2/6
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Good morning
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Good morning
December 6, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Wordle 1,631 2/6
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Good morning
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Good morning
Reposted by Mark Valencia 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
Zia Yusuf - the unelected multimillionaire policy chief of Reform - makes his fourth Question Time appearance tonight.
The party has five MPs
The party has five MPs
December 4, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Zia Yusuf - the unelected multimillionaire policy chief of Reform - makes his fourth Question Time appearance tonight.
The party has five MPs
The party has five MPs
Always a giveaway when our cobwebby landline rings. I answer and: "Hello, I'm Gabby. I'm the local energy advisor for your area."
I wonder if "Gabby" realises she has a job that requires her to hoodwink vulnerable people into believing she's someone official.
What a deadly way to earn a living.
I wonder if "Gabby" realises she has a job that requires her to hoodwink vulnerable people into believing she's someone official.
What a deadly way to earn a living.
December 4, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Always a giveaway when our cobwebby landline rings. I answer and: "Hello, I'm Gabby. I'm the local energy advisor for your area."
I wonder if "Gabby" realises she has a job that requires her to hoodwink vulnerable people into believing she's someone official.
What a deadly way to earn a living.
I wonder if "Gabby" realises she has a job that requires her to hoodwink vulnerable people into believing she's someone official.
What a deadly way to earn a living.
Tonight I'll be at the London Coliseum for the first night of a 9-week run of HMS Pinafore.
Nine whole weeks? Well, yes, if you ignore ENB's extended run of The Nutcracker from 11/12 - 11/1. Still good though.
I'm reviewing for Opera.
Nine whole weeks? Well, yes, if you ignore ENB's extended run of The Nutcracker from 11/12 - 11/1. Still good though.
I'm reviewing for Opera.
a man in a blue uniform with the words captain corcoran cube on the bottom
ALT: a man in a blue uniform with the words captain corcoran cube on the bottom
media.tenor.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Tonight I'll be at the London Coliseum for the first night of a 9-week run of HMS Pinafore.
Nine whole weeks? Well, yes, if you ignore ENB's extended run of The Nutcracker from 11/12 - 11/1. Still good though.
I'm reviewing for Opera.
Nine whole weeks? Well, yes, if you ignore ENB's extended run of The Nutcracker from 11/12 - 11/1. Still good though.
I'm reviewing for Opera.
Guess what I'll be doing on Sunday. He's a clue...
December 2, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Guess what I'll be doing on Sunday. He's a clue...
Reposted by Mark Valencia 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
December 2, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Oooooh!
New book #ThingsLeftUnsung on sale now worldwide in hardback edition.
Stocking-filler paperback edition out on 8th December, with the Kindle edition available in time for Christmas reading.
Profits from the hardback edition will go to City Hospice, Cardiff.
amzn.eu/d/8x56n5Y
Stocking-filler paperback edition out on 8th December, with the Kindle edition available in time for Christmas reading.
Profits from the hardback edition will go to City Hospice, Cardiff.
amzn.eu/d/8x56n5Y
December 1, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Oooooh!
Reposted by Mark Valencia 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
New book #ThingsLeftUnsung on sale now worldwide in hardback edition.
Stocking-filler paperback edition out on 8th December, with the Kindle edition available in time for Christmas reading.
Profits from the hardback edition will go to City Hospice, Cardiff.
amzn.eu/d/8x56n5Y
Stocking-filler paperback edition out on 8th December, with the Kindle edition available in time for Christmas reading.
Profits from the hardback edition will go to City Hospice, Cardiff.
amzn.eu/d/8x56n5Y
December 1, 2025 at 11:55 AM
New book #ThingsLeftUnsung on sale now worldwide in hardback edition.
Stocking-filler paperback edition out on 8th December, with the Kindle edition available in time for Christmas reading.
Profits from the hardback edition will go to City Hospice, Cardiff.
amzn.eu/d/8x56n5Y
Stocking-filler paperback edition out on 8th December, with the Kindle edition available in time for Christmas reading.
Profits from the hardback edition will go to City Hospice, Cardiff.
amzn.eu/d/8x56n5Y
Reposted by Mark Valencia 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
BBC long since gave up all pretence of impartiality & journalistic credibility to be a pro right wing, anti centre/left broadcaster..
Remember the cosey love in’s between Johnson and a gushing Kuenssberg 🤢
Now it’s Reform they want in & Labour out.. they no longer report news.. they create it❗️
Remember the cosey love in’s between Johnson and a gushing Kuenssberg 🤢
Now it’s Reform they want in & Labour out.. they no longer report news.. they create it❗️
The absolute state of the BBC news just now - which seems determined to drag the government down over the budget.
Where was all this attention to minute detail and concern for absolute accuracy when the Tories were lying their way through their chaotic reign for 14 years? It's frankly absurd.
Where was all this attention to minute detail and concern for absolute accuracy when the Tories were lying their way through their chaotic reign for 14 years? It's frankly absurd.
For all the focus on its supposed “left wing bias”, the BBC’s heavy coverage of Rachel Reeves Budget "lies" shows how its political coverage is still largely led by the right-wing press
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/01/r...
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/01/r...
December 1, 2025 at 3:34 PM
BBC long since gave up all pretence of impartiality & journalistic credibility to be a pro right wing, anti centre/left broadcaster..
Remember the cosey love in’s between Johnson and a gushing Kuenssberg 🤢
Now it’s Reform they want in & Labour out.. they no longer report news.. they create it❗️
Remember the cosey love in’s between Johnson and a gushing Kuenssberg 🤢
Now it’s Reform they want in & Labour out.. they no longer report news.. they create it❗️
Good grief, @mattchorley.bsky.social and his guests are singing from the same synthesized hymn sheet about @teamlabouruk.bsky.social . They are doing their best to create a self-fulfilling prophesy re their survival prospects.
When did they attack the ridiculous Tories? Never of course. Chilling.
When did they attack the ridiculous Tories? Never of course. Chilling.
December 1, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Good grief, @mattchorley.bsky.social and his guests are singing from the same synthesized hymn sheet about @teamlabouruk.bsky.social . They are doing their best to create a self-fulfilling prophesy re their survival prospects.
When did they attack the ridiculous Tories? Never of course. Chilling.
When did they attack the ridiculous Tories? Never of course. Chilling.
This morning, December 1, I switched on my local radio station to hear traffic news and was greeted by the harmonious strains of Wizzard singing I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day.
Well boys, your luck's in.
Well boys, your luck's in.
a cup of coffee surrounded by autumn leaves with the words hello autumn written above it
ALT: a cup of coffee surrounded by autumn leaves with the words hello autumn written above it
media.tenor.com
December 1, 2025 at 9:35 AM
This morning, December 1, I switched on my local radio station to hear traffic news and was greeted by the harmonious strains of Wizzard singing I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day.
Well boys, your luck's in.
Well boys, your luck's in.
I wonder if the semi-literate Wordle question setter knows what a homonym is. Nah, thought not.
Wordle 1,626 5/6
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Wordle 1,626 5/6
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December 1, 2025 at 9:29 AM
I wonder if the semi-literate Wordle question setter knows what a homonym is. Nah, thought not.
Wordle 1,626 5/6
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Wordle 1,626 5/6
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Reposted by Mark Valencia 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
I must have missed the wall-to-wall coverage of demands for an investigation into Nigel Farage's lies about being a racist
Or about whether he knew Nathan Gill
Or about who bought his house in Frinton
Or about whether he knew Nathan Gill
Or about who bought his house in Frinton
November 30, 2025 at 9:15 PM
I must have missed the wall-to-wall coverage of demands for an investigation into Nigel Farage's lies about being a racist
Or about whether he knew Nathan Gill
Or about who bought his house in Frinton
Or about whether he knew Nathan Gill
Or about who bought his house in Frinton
Watching a bit of football for a change. No wonder @arsenalfc.bsky.social are doing so well: they're managed by Captain Black. #Mysterons
November 30, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Watching a bit of football for a change. No wonder @arsenalfc.bsky.social are doing so well: they're managed by Captain Black. #Mysterons
Reposted by Mark Valencia 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
Eleven years ago, I wrote to Tom Stoppard to ask about this coup de théâtre from 1949. It took me down an unexpected rabbit hole - in memory of Stoppard, here's what I found.
November 30, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Eleven years ago, I wrote to Tom Stoppard to ask about this coup de théâtre from 1949. It took me down an unexpected rabbit hole - in memory of Stoppard, here's what I found.
Reposted by Mark Valencia 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
A day to reflect on the wit and wisdom of Sir Tom Stoppard, not least in the line: ‘I’m with you on the free press, it’s the newspapers I can’t stand…’
November 30, 2025 at 2:02 PM
A day to reflect on the wit and wisdom of Sir Tom Stoppard, not least in the line: ‘I’m with you on the free press, it’s the newspapers I can’t stand…’
I can't help smirking at the England Lions result. Five batters used and guess who was the only one to fail? Yes, the chouchou parachuted in by head office.
November 30, 2025 at 2:06 PM
I can't help smirking at the England Lions result. Five batters used and guess who was the only one to fail? Yes, the chouchou parachuted in by head office.
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you’ve seen
(I take that to be live solo acts)
Chris Farlowe
Robert Holl / Winterreise
Sandrine Piau
Bertrand Chamayou / Messiaen 20 Regards
Sean Shibe
(I take that to be live solo acts)
Chris Farlowe
Robert Holl / Winterreise
Sandrine Piau
Bertrand Chamayou / Messiaen 20 Regards
Sean Shibe
November 30, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you’ve seen
(I take that to be live solo acts)
Chris Farlowe
Robert Holl / Winterreise
Sandrine Piau
Bertrand Chamayou / Messiaen 20 Regards
Sean Shibe
(I take that to be live solo acts)
Chris Farlowe
Robert Holl / Winterreise
Sandrine Piau
Bertrand Chamayou / Messiaen 20 Regards
Sean Shibe
Oh no, Tom Stoppard had left the stage. His genius made other hacks seem like nin-competent-poops. RIP
a man with a beard and long hair talks to another man
ALT: a man with a beard and long hair talks to another man
media.tenor.com
November 29, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Oh no, Tom Stoppard had left the stage. His genius made other hacks seem like nin-competent-poops. RIP
Reposted by Mark Valencia 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
Reposted by Mark Valencia 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
🚨BOOM! The Petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy has now rocketed past 80,000 signatures! Let’s get it to 100,000 this weekend. If a petition is what it’s going to take let’s get this done!
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
November 28, 2025 at 9:19 AM
🚨BOOM! The Petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy has now rocketed past 80,000 signatures! Let’s get it to 100,000 this weekend. If a petition is what it’s going to take let’s get this done!
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Reposted by Mark Valencia 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
This petition should be flying. What is wrong with everyone?
SIGN
SIGN
I’ve signed it👇🏼👇🏼let’s get the #RussianRot in politics exposed❗️
🚨Now on 86,000 signatures! Let’s get it to 90,000 tonight!
If a petition is what it’s going to take let’s get this done!
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
If a petition is what it’s going to take let’s get this done!
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
November 28, 2025 at 6:53 PM
This petition should be flying. What is wrong with everyone?
SIGN
SIGN